A RUSSIAN ACCOUNT OF THE PENJDEH INCIDENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2712, 1 June 1885, Page 2

A RUSSIAN ACCOUNT OF THE PENJDEH INCIDENT.

The Russian official account of the battle was as follows : “ General Komaroff reports that in consequence of the aggressive and openly hostile action of the Afghans he was compelled, on March 30th, to attack their fortified positions on both banks of the River Kushk. The Afghan detachment, 4000 strong, with eight’ guns, was defeated and dispersed, losing 500 killed, all their artillery, two colors, and the whole camp", with transports and provisions. The Russians lost one Turcoman officer, (Seid Nazir Yooz Baski), killed. Received contusions: Colonel Nickseich and Sub-Lieutenant Kozuiin. Wounded, the Cossack Captain Kotseff and Lieutenant Ahabaloff. Of the rank and file—Cossacks and Turcomans ten were killed and twenty-nine wounded. After the battle General Komaroff returned over the Kushk and re-occupied his former positions. English officers were spectators of the engagement, but not participators in it. On seeing the defeat of the Afghans, they requested Russian protection, but unfortunately the convoy sent by General Komaroff was unable to reach them, and they were carried off in the flight of the Afghan cavalry. The Russians only numbered about 1000, composed of two battalions, two or three sotnias of Cossacks, and Colonel Alikhanoff’s Turcoman militia.” The semi-official “Journal de St. Petersburg” of April 10th, commenting upon General Komaroff’s despatch, said—“ The absence of precise details only permits of conjecture at present regarding the origin, character, and bearing of the conflict. The fact that General Komaroff, after having repulsed and driven away the Afghans returned within his lines is significant, and affords reason to suppose that the movement of the Russian troops must have been caused by hostile acts on the part of the Afghans. On this supposition the affair can only be regarded as an accidental conflict difficult to avoid in a situation so uncertain and strained considering the proximity of the two parties. We are happy to be able to add that, according to information from a British source, the British officers mentioned in General K>maroffs despatch have safely reached Afghan territory.”